This is the first book that presents an overview of the main principles underlying the composition of wood-plastic composite (WPC) materials and their performance in the real world. Focusing on the characteristics of WPC materials rather than their manufacture, this guide bridges the gap between laboratory-based research and testing and the properties WPC materials exhibit when they're used in decks, railing systems, fences, and other common applications

12. Water absorption by composite materials and related effects. Introduction. “Near-surface” vs. “into the bulk” distribution of absorbed water in composite materials. Effect of mineral fillers on water absorption. Swelling (dimensional instability), pressure development and buckling. Short- and long-term water absorption. ASTM recommendations. Effect of cellulose content in composite materials on water absorption. Effect of board density (specific gravity) on water absorption. Moisture content of wood and wood-plastic composites. Effect of water absorption on flexural strength and modulus. Freeze-thaw resistance. Effect of board density on freeze-thaw resistance - a case study. Effect of board density and weathering on freeze-thaw resistance - a case study. Effect of multiple freeze-thaw cycles. Comparison of water absorption of some composite deck boards available on the market. References.

15. Thermo- and photo-oxidative degradation and lifetime of composite building materials. Introduction. Lifetime of plastics and plastic-based composites Examples. Thermo-oxidation, photo-oxidation, oxidative degradation, and product crumbling and failure. Factors accelerating the oxidative degradation of composites. Density (specific gravity) of the composite. Temperature. The physical and the chemical structure of the polymer. History of plastic (virgin, recycled). The type and amount of cellulose fiber. The type and amount of mineral fillers. The presence of stress. The presence of metal catalysts. The presence of moisture. Antioxidants and their amounts. Solar radiation (UV light). Amount of added regrinds, if any. ASTM recommendations. ASTM tests for oxidative induction time. ASTM tests for determination of phenolic antioxidants in plastics. Surface temperature of composite decking and railing systems. Life span of zero-antioxidant GeoDeck decks in various areas of the U.S. The OIT and lifetime of composite deck boards. Durability (in terms of oxidative degradation) of wood-plastic composite decks available on the current market. Oxidative degradation and crumbling of GeoDeck deck boards. History of the case and correction of the problem. Density, porosity, and mechanical properties of GeoDeck before the problem had emerged. Emerging of the problem. Density (specific gravity) of GeoDeck boards in pre-October 2003. Correction of the crumbling problem-- Antioxidant level. Addendum. Test method for oxidative-induction time of filled composite material by differential scanning calorimetry. Case studies. GeoDeck decks crumbling in Arizona. GeoDeck decks crumbling in Massachusetts. GeoDeck voluntary recall. Problem GeoDeck decks: installation time and warranty claims. References.

16. Photo-oxidation and fading of composite building materials. Introduction. How fading is measured? Fading. Some introductory definitions. Accelerated and natural weathering of wood-plastic composite materials, and a correlation (or a lack of it) between them. The acceleration factor. Fading of commercial wood-plastic composite materials. Fading of composite deck boards vs. their crumbling due to oxidation. Factors accelerating or slowing down fading of composites. Density (specific gravity) of the composite. Temperature. UV absorbers and their amounts. Pigments and their amounts. Antioxidants and their amounts. History of plastics (virgin, recycled). Effect of moisture in the composite. The type and amount of cellulose fiber. Extruded vs. injection molded wood-plastic composite materials. ASTM recommendations. Addendum: Some definitions and technical terms used in descriptions of. photodegradation of plastics and wood-plastic composites. References.

17. Rheology and a selection of incoming plastics for composite materials. Introduction. Rheology of neat and filled plastics, composite materials and regrinds. Basic definitions and equations. ASTM recommendations in the area of capillary rheometry. ASTM recommendations in the area of rotational rheometry. Common observation. Neat plastics. Composite materials. Almost uncharted areas of composite and plastic rheology. References. Index.

Anatole A. Klyosov, PHD, was Consulting Vice President of LDI Composites Co. (formerly Kadant Composites, where he was Vice President of research and development). Dr. Klyosov was also professor of biochemistry at Harvard University for eight years. He is currently Chief Scientist at Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He has published almost 300 peer-reviewed articles, thirty-five patents, and a number of books.